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35 Years and counting

Vern Laine

By Vern Laine

1 min read

Last updated: January 2023

I was diagnosed at the age of 20 but symptoms came suddenly when I was 19. There was no warning, just sudden abdominal pain one morning. It took about 6 months for doctors to figure it out. I was a competitive athlete and ate properly plus there is no family history of any type of bowel disease. After about a year, I was re-diagnosed with fistulizing Crohn's disease.

I have had numerous bowel resections, fissures, fistulas, abscesses, kidney stones, fatigue, dehydration, pain, depression, and anxiety, and in 2020 needed to have ostomy and proctectomy surgery.
I have been on numerous medications but Salofalk and prednisone were my regular ones. I have been on biologics since 2012 and have been the best decision.

I am living another new normal now with my Crohn's.

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